Lexington, Mass., May 27, 2009 – Microbia, Inc. (formerly Microbia Precision Engineering) has appointed Alex Chu as vice president of process development. Dr. Chu’s responsibilities will include directing all process development activities from laboratories to commercial manufacturing, including the launch of Microbia’s pipeline of naturally derived carotenoids for the human and animal food ingredient and nutritional supplement markets.

“Microbia is thrilled to welcome Alex to the Microbia team to lead the process development and manufacturing of our pipeline of innovative, cost-effective food ingredients and bio materials,” said Richard Bailey, Ph.D., CEO of Microbia. “Alex brings a wealth of experience in biomanufacturing and process development, along with a unique combination of science and management expertise that will facilitate our delivery of commercially viable products to the market.”

“I’m pleased to be a part of Microbia’s strong leadership team,” said Dr. Chu. “I look forward to the opportunity to help Microbia advance as a leader in the commercialization of a new generation of innovative, sustainable, high value ingredients and bio chemicals."

Alex Chu brings diverse experience in bioprocess development and manufacturing to Microbia. He was most recently the vice president of manufacturing and process development at Adnexus Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb. Prior to this, he held multiple scientific and management positions at Abbot Laboratories and Abbott BioResearch Center, including director of manufacturing program management and director, process development, Pharma. Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from National Taiwan University and a Ph.D. in biochemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

About Microbia (www.Microbia.com)

Microbia, (formerly Microbia Precision Engineering) is an industrial biotechnology company applying proprietary metabolic engineering utilizing fermentation technology to create cost-effective, renewable specialty ingredients and biomaterials. Microbia will develop and market its products through direct sales and strategic alliances, including an ongoing multi-product joint development and commercialization agreement with Tate & Lyle Investments, Ltd. Carotenoids will be the first products launched from Microbia’s diverse pipeline of specialty ingredients, biopolymers and other biomaterials. Microbia, Inc., based in Lexington, Massachusetts, was established in 2006 as an operationally independent subsidiary of Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc.